First TT of the year for me so decided to use the road bike and just get back into the swing of things. Kept the "yellow beak" tucked away for now.
I've been spending most of the year training for the Brighton Marathon (next weekend) and not on the bike so worried I would be way off the pace, prepared to pull off after one lap if it didn't feel good.
Anyway, even thought it's the nasty Bletchingly course I always enjoy this one partly because I get the chance to just ride over from Oxted in the morning and it's an interesting challenging bit of riding.
Glorious weather first thing, a bit of a chill in the air but the air was still and the sky clear so it looked like being an excellent run. No need for leg warmers or thick gloves (unlike those out on Sunday it seems see you should have done this one Andrew. ).
Jon came over to say hi at the start. Off at 8.15 took it nice and steady off the line and wound up the pace climbing up through Bletchingly. Caught my one minute man before the top of the Bletchingly climb. Tucked down nice and low to pick up some speed over the motorway even though on the road bike with normal bars. Similarly tried to keep low dropping down the first descent but only managed to get up to about 35. Noticeably slower than doing that on the TT steed. Caught my two minute man at the bottom of the descent just before the motorway flyover. Then it was all quiet for hares to chase - briefly saw my three minute man in the distance on the long straight but didn't catch sight of him again.
Round the bottom turn and time for the painful bit.
Decided to take it really easy on the three climbs on the first lap and save energy for a flat out assault on the second lap so dropped down the gears and span the legs like a hamster.
Passed rider #2 on the second climb, then back up to Bletchingly and ready for lap 2.
Same again. Just before the bottom turn Steve Dennis cruises past. Nope I can't go any quicker. How the hell is that speed possible.
Oh well. Right - time for them hills again. Take the first two a little harder and hit the final climb. Ok stand up and ah. sit down again. There appears to be a power problem houston. Nope nothing I can do to get up the hill at any speed. oh well. drop down the gears and twiddle home.
Final time - 01:03:17. So not too bad considering. Slightly quicker than last year.
Jon back in - 01:01:10
Steve Dennis romped home in 00:49:38.
Results: http://www.rttc.org.uk/?&ge482__geka=0q ... &tabid=109